Hey blerg! We managed to go camping ONE LAST TIME* this past weekend, lucky us!

Our favorite spot was taken by some 20-something dudes, but they were nice and chill and had a couple of dogs with them and were listening to down-tempo electronic music, so that was acceptable. Plus we found a spot nearby.

The Cle Elum Lake is shockingly low! This was the view driving in. We’ve never seen it this low before. So much lake bed visible.

I tried to get Maggie to play fetch with me on the meadow, but NOPE, you know that Maggie dog, she had to run all over the sharp rocks with her doggie feet. MANIAC!

Back in the woods some target practice was happening, but luckily we didn’t get shot at THIS time. We told the boys about our experience years ago, and they were horrified. Rightly so! It’s no fun being shot at. As if my gun paranoia wasn’t already bad enough!

So relaxing. The day was completely overcast on Saturday, but it didn’t rain on us too much.

It wasn’t warm enough for me to go swimming. Maggie spent the most time in the water.

She also munched on plenty of animal scat, which earned her a bath with Dr. Bronner’s peppermint soap that evening. What a filthy little dog!

I knew it was going to be a good camping trip because our spot was surrounded by heart-shaped rocks.

Josh thoughtfully prepared us chicken, avocado and cucumber salads with blue cheese dressing. Mmmmmm.

Who is the cutest Cub around?

This is what summer is all about, baby.

Josh had to sneak away a few times to go fly fishing, and the girls never stopped looking for him.

The sun came out for about half a second, so I snapped this self-portrait after I stripped off my fleece jacket. Rose-colored glasses, check.

We’ve never seen so many sockeye salmon, and they were so close! And sluggish! Too bad Josh wasn’t able to catch a single one. On the way home I read him fly fishing tips for catching salmon. Evidently they are attracted to neon, shiny lures (just like me).

Maggie dog scrambling over rocks. I’m pleasantly surprised that she isn’t limping today.

My camping reading for the weekend. I am VERY close to finishing “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn”–what a beautiful book. I’ve been taking my time with it.

So grateful that we were able to go camping again this year.

Maggie dog, on the hunt. Hunting for poop!

Camping Realness.

Such a dreamy little spot!

Bear Cub keeps an eye on Maggie in the water. She likes to attack her as she’s climbing out.

The Dude, in his element.

Sometimes Maggie rests. Briefly.

Josh said he thought of me when he bought this “Prefunk” beer. You see, back in my day, children, we would get drunk before going to a party to get drunk, and we calling that “Prefunking”! Siiiiiigh.

Mostly about Mt. Rainier, which I know I am going to hike one day but I’ll miss the dogs, who aren’t allowed.

Hey, that’s Day 1! Stay tuned for Day 2. I’ve gotta get outside and enjoy that sunshine.

 

* what about October camping though? I’m keeping an open mind.